It is a pleasure to be here this morning to open Fiji Revenue and Custom Authority’s (FRCA) new Customer Services Centre in Rakiraki.

It is my task today as your Prime Minister and Minister for Finance to present to you the 2013 budget.

As your Minister for Finance and Prime Minister, it is indeed my pleasure to be here this morning to launch the Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority Gold Card Premium Services as well as its revamped website.

FRCA launched the E- Learning programme in February this year after seeing the need to embrace technological advancements for the betterment of customs tasks. The WCO e- learning programme was launched in June 2003 in response to the ever increasing demand for training and technical assistance.

This occasion marks an achievement of another important milestone leading to full integration of Inland Revenue and Customs services, within the authority.

At the outset, I wish to thank the World Customs Organisation and its Secretary General, Mr. Kurio Mikuriya, who has travelled from Brussels to be here today. The WCO has been unwavering in its support and recognition of Customs reforms in Fiji and the other Oceania Customs Organisations (OCO) members.

It gives me great pleasure to launch this new FIRCA Hotline. It is a toll- free line that will allow concerned members of the public to provide information on breaches of the tax…

I am delighted to welcome each and every one present here this morning to celebrate the World International Customs Day. Indeed it is a significant day in the History of Customs that a special day has been set by World Customs Organization annually which, is celebrated by Customs staff globally.

I am delighted to welcome everyone here this afternoon on behalf of the Oceania Customs Organisation (OCO) and Fiji Islands Revenue & Customs Authority to celebrate the International Customs Day with the theme “No to counterfeiting and piracy”.

Welcome to the presentation of the FIRCA Term Life insurance payout to Ms Nainasa Covecena who is the first beneficiary of the FIRCA Term Life Cover, since the scheme’s inception on 1st September 2005.